Arsenal returned to the top of the English Premier League on Thursday as previous leader, Liverpool, slipped to fourth courtesy of a 2-1 defeat by fellow title challengers, Manchester City.
A full Boxing Day EPL programme saw a pair of Theo Walcott goals help Arsenal to a 3-1 win at struggling West Ham before Liverpool became the latest side to find City in unbeatable form at fortress Etihad Stadium.
The late kick off was a hard-fought affair and Liverpool took a 24th minute lead as Philippe Coutinho scored after Raheem Sterling beat the offside trap from a Luis Suarez pass.
Liverpool continued to make the running, but City equalized after 31 minutes when Vincent Kompany headed home from a corner.
Alvaro Negredo put the home side ahead on the stroke of halftime as his shot found its way past visiting goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, following good work from Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas.
The second half saw chances for both title contenders, with Sterling missing the chance to level when he blazed over from a Suarez assist.
City leapfrogged Liverpool to move up to second and remain the favourite with most bookmakers to claim the title.
But earlier, Arsenal returned to winning ways in timely fashion to beat West Ham at Upton Park.
Carlton Cole put West Ham ahead just after halftime before Walcott levelled with the first of his double inside three minutes.
German international, Podolski, set the seal on an excellent day for the Gunners by scoring after coming off the bench.
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea also remained in the hunt in third place, two points behind Arsenal, with a 1-0 home win over Swansea.
Crystal Palace beat Aston Villa 1-0 and Fulham overcame Norwich 2-1, with former England international, Scott Parker, grabbing the winne
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